DiAnn Svenson

Sunday, June 6, 2021 3:23 am

DiAnn M. Svenson, age 77, of Decorah, passed away in her sleep at home on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Her final moments were an unexpected yet peaceful clearing following a health challenge storm.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Benedict Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Thursday at 9 a.m., two hours before the service, at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

DiAnn Marie (Ehler) Svenson entered life on Sept. 6, 1943, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Felix and Bertha (Wenthold) Ehler. She attended St. Francis – de Sales Catholic Schools in Ossian, Iowa and graduated from De Sales High School with the class of 1961. In addition to her siblings, many of her beloved cousins describe her as the glue that held the Ehler and Wenthold families together. DiAnn married Gary D. Svenson on Oct. 21, 1972, at St. Francis – de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. They were blessed with two children: Dawn and Darin.

DiAnn devoted her professional life to many endeavors including what was then called a “hired girl.” She often stayed with families racked by terrible losses as they transitioned to better times. She also applied her trademark hard work at the Hotel Winneshiek Tap Room, a scrumptious food-filled in-home day care, McDonald’s, and nearly two decades with Luther College Dining Services. She stayed connected to many a Luther student who worked with her in the caf. DiAnn was a nearly 50-year, exceedingly active member at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. Her cooking and baking skills for large swaths of loved ones and volunteer projects remain legendary. She partnered with her husband Gary to undertake many years of significant community efforts including the Winneshiek County Fair management, fundraising for Nordic Dancers and much more. Friends and family remember her myriad of kind, thoughtful ways. As just one example, DiAnn lovingly repaired the inevitable weather damage to the US, Iowa and Norway flags installed in her husband’s memory at the Highway 9 and Montgomery Street entrance to Decorah.

DiAnn loved local, regional and state sports of all kinds and dedicated herself to studying sports articles. She also treasured long conversations with loved ones, lifelong learning through reading, Sudoku puzzles and more. DiAnn loved gardening and flowers, but the deer – not so much. If you have DiAnn stories you’d like to share for a collection being assembled, please email story text, photos or video to DiAnnSvenson@gmail.com.

DiAnn’s family deeply appreciates the loving care provided by her healthcare professionals at Gundersen Health Systems, especially Dr. Catherine Nelson and her team. Most recently, Dr. Antonios Charokopos and the Mayo Clinic pulmonology and rheumatology teams provided bright lights of the highest quality pulmonary fibrosis care planning in the midst of some darkness.

DiAnn is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Josh) Svenson Holland of Robins, IA and their dogs Oliver and Baldr; her son, Darin (Katie) Svenson of Mankato, MN; one brother, Ronald Ehler of Ossian, IA; three brothers-in-law, Carl (Victoria) Svenson, Dave Svenson and Rich (Linda) Svenson, all of Decorah; her bonus daughter Sharon Baumler of North Liberty, IA; her bonus son Kenny Baumler of Waukon, IA; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Svenson; grand-dog Sparkle; parents; Felix and Bertha Ehler, 3 sisters: Jeannette Ihde, LaVerna Nowak, and Marlene Baumler, father- and mother-in-law, Sverre and Marie Svenson, three brothersin-law: LeRoy Ihde, Jake Nowak, and Irenus Baumler, three sisters-in-law: Lorraine Ehler, Donna Svenson, and Sally Svenson; one niece: Joyce Ihde and one nephew: Jim Ihde; one grand-niece: Jessica Ballentine and one grand-nephew: Johnny Ricci.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: St. Benedict School, c/o St. Benedict Church, 307 W. Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, The Community Building project at Winneshiek County Fairgrounds, c/o Gary Schutte, 1059 130th Ave., Castalia, IA 52133, or the memorials given to the family will be used to endow three flags for the East Entrance to Decorah at the corner of Highway 9 and Montgomery Street: the flag of The United States of America, the flag of Iowa, and the flag of Norway.

Fjelstul Funeral Home of Decorah assisted the family with arrangements.